Amstrad plc launches today its second generation [email protected] phone, the ‘e-mailerplus’, a £99.99 unit that allows users to access the internet in addition to incorporating a number of other new and existing key features.

As well as e-mail, SMS and the other functions included in the first generation phone, the ‘e-mailerplus’ most importantly features quick and easy internet access using Microsoft® Mobile Explorer™. The ‘e-mailerplus’ also includes access to a selection of classic Sinclair Spectrum games which can be downloaded and played on the unit’s upgraded screen.

The ‘e-mailerplus’ will be available through most High Street and Mail Order outlets with volume deliveries scheduled throughout February. The Company will support the ‘e-mailerplus’ launch with a national £2.2 million television advertising campaign, starting in the first week of March.

Amstrad chairman Sir Alan Sugar said today:

“The new ‘e-mailerplus’ has a significantly lower subsidy per unit than our first model. We have visibility of further cost reductions which based on the current selling price should result in a zero subsidy on units produced in the next financial year.”

“As with the first generation [email protected] Amstrad will receive ongoing revenue from e-mail, advertising and other revenue sources as well as new revenue from internet access and from games usage.”

“The service and technology platform for the ‘e-mailerplus’ is being provided by Thus plc and this arrangement will result in Amstrad receiving a far greater share of e-mail revenue than with the first generation model. We are negotiating with telecoms companies on the issue of tariffs and seeking additional profitable and marketable products to sell through what is essentially a telecoms based vending machine. The validity of our business model for the first phone has been proved, and I have no doubt that the ‘e-mailerplus’ with its considerable consumer benefits, its lower manufacturing costs and greater opportunities for ongoing revenue generation will prove the [email protected] concept to be profitable”